Just the Two of Us

Just the Two of Us

After 35+ years of marriage, two wonderful sons, living and working in Australia, Sweden, UK and USA we are now 'just the two of us' plus a very spoilt Shitzu.

Following five years at The Sandhurst Club it is time to downsize. Our criteria - build a new home in a development within ten minutes of John's Sandhurst Golf Club, access to Monash and Eastlink Freeways, all new infrastructure and proposed services, recycled water and no Management Company or Body Corporate Fees.

We invite you to view our journey as we build with Carlisle Homes our 'Savannah 28' at 'The Avenue at Casey', a masterplanned community meeting all our criteria.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Seven weeks ago construction commenced on the Pergola/Wall off the Alfresco in readiness for delivery of our Water Feature. John with help from our son's, Jarrad and Luke worked weekends and the two days before delivery to complete.....a great job and thanks boys.

Painting to be completed before we progress to fence painting, another Pergola over BBQ area and plants.

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'Tree Hugger'
First Pergola post after concreting footings

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Jarrad helps install Fascia Board

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Luke helps erect Beams

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Preparing for Water Feature base frame

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Frame concreted into position and was packed with crushed rock

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Cross Beams almost completed

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Frame for Wall under construction

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BonBon likes to get in on the action too!

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Blueboard going up - front and back

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Joins are taped and edge strips installed before grouting compound applied and smoothed

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Coupled with the football season (fanatical Essendon supporter) including finals tickets and enjoying a wonderful Pacific Island Cruise; John constructed the deck to our front door. A plantation shutter in the sidelight window completes the entrance.

﻿In the garden 'Spring' rewarded our landscaping efforts with lush greenery and blossom on the 'Weeping Cherry'. I've never lost a tree but it appears our 'Magnolia Black Tulip' has curled up its toes.....do we 'cut back, remove or keep talking to it'?

I absolutely love daylight saving; between tee times on the golf course and enjoying summer we will now concentrate on the back garden.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Following boundary fences the aggregate driveway, paths and alfresco were poured with irrigation and garden lights conduit installed.

We have concentrated on the front -
Brickie constructed a 3 metre long planter/letterbox adjacent the entry path to conceal the water meters and taps; a saga equivalent to Telstra..........but not before number two son (Luke) dug the foundation trenches and a tap was moved.

We then turned over the existing soil and installed treated pine garden edges.
Organic soil and compost was added to garden beds before plants and mulch.

Irrigation fit off was next followed by the spreading/levelling of gypsum, compost and sandy loam for turf.
Luke returned to help with turf laying.........wonderful to see green grass.

Lastly, feature box was waterproofed, filled with soil, planted and mulched; whilst the naturestrip damaged during construction was top dressed and re-seeded.

Front porch deck, leading from path and wrapping behind planter box is next on list. Our transformation from dirt to green oasis.
Happy Gardening.

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Our Blank Canvas

Pouring Aggregate Driveway

Before Wash

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Alfresco Formwork and Aggregate Pour

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Foundation for Planter/Letterbox

Brickie

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John making sure that thing was 'square'

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Brickwork before cleaning
Front Porch to Path and behind Planter will be Decked

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Garden Bed edges in progress

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Turf preparation

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Turf Laying and Clean Bricks - Finally some Green!!

Father and Son bonding moment!

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Rolling Turf and John if he doesn't get out the way!

Are we there yet?

Clean Up Time

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Our trusty 30 year old Trailer has worked hard

Ten days later......turf is establishing, Cycads are planted, Naturestrip is top dressed and re-seeded